Method and System for Issueing In-Game Reward

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention set forth a method for issuing an in-game virtual reward by visiting a physical location. The method includes offering an incentive for obtaining an opt-in authorization from a device; receiving the opt-in authorization from the device after the incentive is determined to be accepted; requesting the location of the device based on the opt-in authorization when receiving a notification message from the device; and issuing an in-game virtual reward after the notification message is determined to be sent at the physical location.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a reward associated with avirtual game and more specifically to techniques for issuing an in-gamevirtual reward by visiting a physical location.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a virtual game or other virtual experience, users may interact withone another in a simulated environment. Recently, development effortshave been focused on expanding the user experience beyond the simulatedvirtual environment into the real physical world. For example, a socialnetworking service provider may try to connect people who sharesomething in common by providing services, such as, permitting friendsof the user to track the physical whereabouts of the user. One drawbackof attempting to build real-world interactions into virtual experiencesis that implementing those interactions oftentimes places specifictechnical requirements on end-users. To the extent users feel morecomfortable interacting with virtual objects and characters in thesimulated virtual environment than interacting with objects and peoplein the real physical world, placing such additional technicalrequirements/burdens on those users causes them to become even morefocused on the virtual aspects of the overall game or other experience.Further, when users become deeply involved in a virtual game or othervirtual experience, those users tend to ignore options for real-worldinteractions.

As the foregoing illustrates, what is needed in the art is an approachthat reduces the impediments to having real-world interactions builtinto virtual experiences, so that users increase their real-worldinteractions during such experiences.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments of the present invention may generally relate tomethods for issuing an in-game virtual reward by visiting a physicallocation. One example method may include offering an incentive forobtaining an opt-in authorization from a device; receiving the opt-inauthorization from the device after the incentive is determined to beaccepted; requesting the location of the device based on the opt-inauthorization when receiving a notification message from the device; andissuing an in-game virtual reward after the notification message isdetermined to be sent at the physical location.

Other embodiments of the present invention may generally relate tocomputing devices for issuing an in-game virtual reward by visiting aphysical location. One example computing device may include a processor.The processor is configured to offer an incentive for obtaining anopt-in authorization from a device; receive the opt-in authorizationfrom the device after the incentive is determined to be accepted;request the location of the device based on the opt-in authorizationwhen receiving a notification message from the device; and issue anin-game virtual reward after the notification message is determined tobe sent at the physical location.

Additional embodiments of the present invention may generally relate tomethods for participating in a virtual game by visiting a physicallocation. An example method may include signing up to be a physicallocation of interest in the virtual game; providing location informationof the physical location of interest; and providing a reward based on asecond message received on a device. The second message may be inresponse to a first message sent out from the device at the physicallocation of interest.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be inany way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments,and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and featureswill become apparent by reference to the drawings and the followingdetailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will becomemore fully apparent from the following description and appended claims,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding thatthese drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with thedisclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope,the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detailthrough use of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of an example computing device configured toimplement one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 1B illustrates a system configured to issue an in-game virtualreward, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for issuing an in-game virtual rewardby visiting a physical location of interest, according to one embodimentof the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method for participating in a virtual game,according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention.However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that theinvention may be practiced without one or more of these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known features have not been describedin order to avoid obscuring embodiments of the invention.

In this disclosure, the term “in-game” is generally used to representobjects associated with a virtual game. The term “opt-in” generallyrefers to an express permission from a virtual game player or a deviceuser.

FIG. 1A illustrates an example computing device, configured to implementone or more aspects of the present invention. Computing device 100 maybe a computer workstation, personal computer, mobile device, tablet, orany other device suitable for practicing one or more embodiments of thepresent invention. As shown, computing device 100 includes one or moreprocessing units, such as central processing unit (CPU) 102, and asystem memory 104 communicating via a bus path that may include a memorybridge 105. CPU 102 includes one or more processing cores, and, inoperation, CPU 102 is the master processor of computing device 100,controlling and coordinating operations of other system components.System memory 104 stores software applications and data for use by CPU102. CPU 102 runs software applications and optionally an operatingsystem. Memory bridge 105, which may be, e.g., a Northbridge chip, isconnected via a bus or other communication path (e.g., a HyperTransportlink) to an I/O (input/output) bridge 107. I/O bridge 107, which may be,e.g., a Southbridge chip, receives an external input from one or moreinput devices such as keyboard 108 or mouse 109 and forwards the inputto CPU 102 via memory bridge 105. In alternative embodiments, I/O bridge107 may also be connected to other input devices such as a joystick,digitizer tablets, touch pads, touch screens, still or video cameras,motion sensors, and/or microphones (not shown).

One or more display processors, such as display processor 112, arecoupled to memory bridge 105 via a bus or other communication path 113(e.g., a PCI Express, Accelerated Graphics Port, or HyperTransportlink); in one embodiment display processor 112 is a graphics subsystemthat includes at least one graphics processing unit (GPU) and graphicsmemory. Graphics memory includes a display memory (e.g., a frame buffer)used for storing pixel data for each pixel of an output image. Graphicsmemory can be integrated in the same device as the GPU, connected as aseparate device with the GPU, and/or implemented within system memory104. Display processor 112 periodically delivers pixels to a displaydevice 110 that may be any conventional CRT or LED monitor. Displayprocessor 112 can provide display device 110 with an analog or digitalsignal.

A system disk 114 is also connected to I/O bridge 107 and may beconfigured to store content and applications and data for use by CPU 102and display processor 112. System disk 114 provides non-volatile storagefor applications and data and may include fixed or removable hard diskdrives, flash memory devices, and CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, Blu-ray, HD-DVD, orother magnetic, optical, or solid state storage devices.

A switch 116 provides connections between I/O bridge 107 and othercomponents such as a network adapter 118 and various add-in cards 120and 121. Network adapter 118 allows system 100 to communicate with othersystems via an electronic communications network, and may include wiredor wireless communication over local area networks and wide areanetworks such as the Internet.

Other components (not shown), including USB or other port connections,film recording devices, and the like, may also be connected to I/Obridge 107. For example, an audio processor may be used to generateanalog or digital audio output from instructions and/or data provided byCPU 102, system memory 104, or system disk 114. Communication pathsinterconnecting the various components in FIG. 1 may be implementedusing any suitable protocols, such as PCI (Peripheral ComponentInterconnect), PCI Express (PCI-E), AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port),HyperTransport, or any other bus or point-to-point communicationprotocol(s), and connections between different devices may use differentprotocols, as is known in the art.

In one embodiment, display processor 112 incorporates circuitryoptimized for graphics and video processing, including, for example,video output circuitry, and constitutes a graphics processing unit(GPU). In another embodiment, display processor 112 incorporatescircuitry optimized for general purpose processing. In yet anotherembodiment, display processor 112 may be integrated with one or moreother system elements, such as the memory bridge 105, CPU 102, and I/Obridge 107 to form a system on chip (SoC). In still further embodiments,display processor 112 is omitted and software executed by CPU 102performs the functions of display processor 112.

Pixel data can be provided to display processor 112 directly from CPU102. In some embodiments of the present invention, instructions and/ordata representing a scene are provided to a render farm or a set ofserver computers, each similar to system 100, via network adapter 118 orsystem disk 114. The render farm generates one or more rendered imagesof the scene using the provided instructions and/or data. These renderedimages may be stored on computer-readable media in a digital format andoptionally returned to system 100 for display.

Alternatively, CPU 102 provides display processor 112 with data and/orinstructions defining the desired output images, from which displayprocessor 112 generates the pixel data of one or more output images,including characterizing and/or adjusting the offset betweenstereoscopic image pairs. The data and/or instructions defining thedesired output images can be stored in system memory 104 or a graphicsmemory within display processor 112. In an embodiment, display processor112 includes 3D rendering capabilities for generating pixel data foroutput images from instructions and data defining the geometry, lightingshading, texturing, motion, and/or camera parameters for a scene.Display processor 112 can further include one or more programmableexecution units capable of executing shader programs, tone mappingprograms, and the like.

In one embodiment, application 135 is stored in system memory 104.Application 135 may be any application configured to display a graphicaluser interface (GUI) on display device 110. Application 135 may beconfigured to generate and modify documents based on input received froma user. For example, application 135 may be a word processingapplication or an image editing program.

It will be appreciated that the system shown herein is illustrative andthat variations and modifications are possible. The connection topology,including the number and arrangement of bridges, may be modified asdesired. For instance, in some embodiments, system memory 104 may beconnected to CPU 102 directly rather than through a bridge, and otherdevices may communicate with system memory 104 via memory bridge 105 andCPU 102. In other alternative topologies display processor 112 may beconnected to I/O bridge 107 or directly to CPU 102, rather than tomemory bridge 105. In still other embodiments, I/O bridge 107 and memorybridge 105 may be integrated in a single chip. In addition, theparticular components shown herein are optional. For instance, anynumber of add-in cards or peripheral devices might be supported. In someembodiments, switch 116 is eliminated, and network adapter 118 andadd-in cards 120, 121 connect directly to I/O bridge 107.

FIG. 1B illustrates a system 150 configured to issue an in-game virtualreward, according to one embodiment of the present invention. System 150includes, without limitation, a mobile device 151, a first computingdevice 153, a second computing device 155, and a location lookupcomputing device 157. Any or all of first computing device 153, secondcomputing device 155, and location lookup computing device 157 may havethe configuration of computing device 100 illustrated in FIG. 1A anddescribed above. In some embodiments, first computing device 153 isconfigured to send first message 160 to a mobile device. First message160 may include an offer of an incentive and a virtual game invitation.The incentive may be virtual or physical. For example, the incentive maybe a virtual tool in the virtual game or a physical limited edition itemprovided by the provider or operator of the virtual game.

After receiving first message 160, if the incentive is deemed acceptableto the user of mobile device 151, the mobile device 151 may send anauthorization message 163 to first computing device 153 to sign the userup with the virtual game. Authorization message 163 may include anopt-in message that user of mobile device 151 agrees to disclose thelocation of mobile device 151. Authorization message 163 may alsoinclude the phone number of mobile device 151 or a short code.

Optionally, first computing device 153 may send a verification messageto mobile device 151 to check with the user whether he or she is indeedsigning up with the virtual game. In response to the verificationmessage, mobile device 151 may send a confirmation message to firstcomputing device 153 to confirm the user's signing up with the virtualgame.

First computing device 153 is then configured to send a list of offersof in-game virtual rewards 165 to mobile device 151. An offer of onein-game virtual reward may be associated with a visit to a physicallocation of interest. An example offer may be “Earn 10,000 points forvisiting Disneyland weekly from now to the end of the year and send us atext each time when you come to Disneyland.” In this example, Disneylandis the physical location of interest. First computing device 153 mayprovide an offer of earning more points by visiting Disneyland moreoften than on a weekly basis.

First computing device 153 may receive a notification message 167, suchas a short message service (SMS) message, from mobile device 151 whenmobile device 151 arrives at the physical location of interest. Firstcomputing device 153 is configured to verify whether notificationmessage 167 is sent from the physical location of interest. In someembodiments, based on authorization message 163 and notification message167, first computing device 153 is configured to send a request 170 tosecond computing device 155 for the location of mobile device 151.

In some embodiments, second computing device 155 is associated with thecarrier of mobile device 151. Second computing device 155 may send acall command 180 to an application programming interface (API) supportedby location lookup computing device 157. Location lookup computingdevice 157 is configured to perform any known triangulation or GlobalPositioning System (GPS) techniques (e.g., by calling a location serviceAPI supported by mobile device 151 or utilizing GPS-fencing applicationinstalled on mobile device 151) to locate mobile device 151 when mobiledevice 151 is within a predetermined range from the physical location ofinterest. Location lookup computing device 157 is then configured tosend location information 181 of mobile device 151 to second computingdevice 155, and second computing device 155 then sends message 171including such location information to first processing device 153.

Based on message 171, first computing device 153 is configured todetermine whether the requested location information of mobile device151 matches the physical location of interest. If the requested locationinformation of mobile device 151 matches the physical location ofinterest, first computing device 153 is configured to issue an in-gamevirtual reward 169 to mobile device 151.

In some embodiments, messages (e.g., messages 160, 163, 165, 167 and169) between mobile device 151 and first computing device 153 are SMSbased. Therefore, a smart phone or a new application is not required.

Further, although FIG. 1B depicts mobile device 151 as a mobile phone,those skilled in the art will appreciate that mobile device 151 may beany device capable of transmitting and/or receiving a signal, includinga data signal, a signal that includes position location information, andthe like. Examples of such devices include, without limitation, cameras,mobile telephones, in-car entertainment devices, mobile/portablecomputing devices, personal digital assistants, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method 200 for issuing an in-game virtualreward by visiting a physical location of interest, according to oneembodiment of the present invention. The method 200 may include one ormore operations, functions, or actions illustrated by steps 201, 203,205 and 207. Although the steps are illustrated in a sequential order,these steps may also be performed in parallel, and/or in a differentorder than those described herein. Also, the various steps may becombined into fewer steps, divided into additional steps, and/oreliminated based upon the desired implementation. Further, any system ordevice that implements the steps of method 200, in any order, fallswithin the scope of the present invention.

In conjunction with FIG. 1B, the method 200 begins at step 201, wherefirst computing device 153 executes a set of instructions for a firstapplication to offer an incentive to a mobile device (e.g., mobiledevice 151) for obtaining an opt-in authorization from it. The method200 continues at step 203, where first computing device 153 isconfigured to receive the opt-in authorization from the mobile device.In some embodiments, the opt-in authorization includes two messages insequence. The first message includes a phone number or a short codewhich represents the willingness of the user of the mobile device tosign up with a virtual game. The second message includes a verificationconfirming that the user he/she is signing up.

At step 205, first computing device 153 is configured to request for thelocation of the mobile device based on the opt-in authorization. In someinstances, first computing device 153 makes such a request in responseto having received a notification message from the mobile device. Thelocation of the mobile device may be determined by another party (e.g.,second computing device 155 and/or location lookup computing device157). At step 207, first computing device 153 is configured to issue anin-game virtual reward when the requested location of the mobile devicematches the physical location of interest. In some embodiments, a matchis found when first computing device 153 determines that thenotification message is sent from the physical location of interest.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method 300 for participating in a virtualgame, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The method300 may include one or more operations, functions, or actionsillustrated by steps 301, 303 and 305. Although the steps areillustrated in a sequential order, these steps may also be performed inparallel, and/or in a different order than those described herein. Also,the various steps may be combined into fewer steps, divided intoadditional steps, and/or eliminated based upon the desiredimplementation. Again, any system or device that implements the steps ofthe method 300, in any order, falls within the scope of the presentinvention.

In some embodiments, a virtual game provider/operator may allow in-gamevirtual rewards to be issued when a virtual game player visits aphysical location of interest. One or more participant stores for such avirtual game may also be given incentives (e.g., increasing the numberof customers visiting the store) to become the physical locations ofinterest associated with the virtual game. For illustration purposes, aparticipant store may utilize first computing device 153 of FIG. 1B.

The method 300 begins at step 301, where first computing device 153 at aparticipant store is configured to sign up with a virtual gameprovider/operator to be a physical location of interest associated withthe virtual game. The participant store may also provide advertisementsof the virtual game to show the association between the participantstore and the virtual game to its customers. As discussed above, theremay be a list of offers of in-game rewards for the players of thevirtual game. The offers may be provided by the virtual gameprovider/operator directly or by the participant store. In someembodiments, the virtual game provider/operator may provide in-gamevirtual rewards if the player physically visits the participant store.In some other embodiments, the participant store may provide a discountrate on the products/services it sells to the player if he/shephysically visits the participant store.

At step 303, first computing device 153 at the participant store isconfigured to provide location information (e.g., address or geographiccoordinates) so that the virtual game provider/operator can have suchlocation information to verify whether its player physically visits theparticipant store. First computing device 153 is configured to send thislocation information of the participant store to the virtual gameprovider/operator. When the virtual game player is physically at theparticipant store and tries to send a first message to the virtual gameprovider/operator, the participant store may provide a predeterminedshort code to the virtual game user to include in the first message.After determining that the location of sending the first message is thesame as the location information of the participant store, the virtualgame provider/operator may send a second message to the mobile device ofits player.

At step 305, first computing device 153 in the participant store may beused to determine a physical reward based on the second message shown onthe mobile device of the virtual game player. For example, the physicalreward may be a discount for a drink or an item sold in the participantstore, and the second message may affect the discount amount.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention,other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised withoutdeparting from the basic scope thereof. For example, aspects of thepresent invention may be implemented in hardware or software or in acombination of hardware and software. One embodiment of the inventionmay be implemented as a program product for use with a computer system.The program(s) of the program product define functions of theembodiments (including the methods described herein) and can becontained on a variety of computer-readable storage media. Illustrativecomputer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to: (i)non-writable storage media (e.g., read-only memory devices within acomputer such as CD-ROM disks readable by a CD-ROM drive, flash memory,ROM chips or any type of solid-state non-volatile semiconductor memory)on which information is permanently stored; and (ii) writable storagemedia (e.g., floppy disks within a diskette drive or hard-disk drive orany type of solid-state random-access semiconductor memory) on whichalterable information is stored. Such computer-readable storage media,when carrying computer-readable instructions that direct the functionsof the present invention, are embodiments of the present invention.

The scope of the present invention is determined by the claims thatfollow.

We claim:
 1. A method for issuing an in-game virtual reward associated with a virtual game by visiting a physical location of interest, comprising: offering an incentive for obtaining from a device an opt-in authorization to sign up with a virtual game; receiving the opt-in authorization from the device; requesting the location of the device based on the opt-in authorization; and issuing an in-game virtual reward when the location of the device matches the physical location of interest.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the incentive is virtual or physical.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a notification message from the device; and determining whether the notification message is sent from the physical location of interest.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein requesting comprises calling a global positioning system (GPS) application programming interface supported by the device.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein requesting comprises utilizing a GPS-fencing application installed on the device when the device is within a predetermined range from the physical location of interest.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending an offer of the in-game virtual reward to the device after receiving the opt-in authorization.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the in-game virtual reward changes based on the frequency of the device visiting the physical location of interest.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the opt-in authorization received from the device is a short message.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the in-game virtual reward is issued through a short message.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the opt-in authorization includes an identification code associated with the device.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a mobile or portable device.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the mobile or portable device comprises a mobile telephone.
 13. A computing device configured to issue an in-game virtual reward associated with a virtual game, comprising: a memory unit; and a processor configured to: offer an incentive for obtaining from a device an opt-in authorization to sign up for the virtual game; receive the opt-in authorization from the device to sign up with the virtual game; request the location of the device based on the opt-in authorization; and issue an in-game virtual reward when the location of the device matches a physical location of interest.
 14. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to: receive a notification message from the device; and determine whether the notification message is sent from the physical location of interest.
 15. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to call a GPS application programming interface supported by the device.
 16. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to utilize a GPS-fencing application installed on the device when the device is within a predetermined range from the physical location of interest.
 17. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to send an offer of the in-game virtual reward to the device after receiving the opt-in authorization.
 18. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the in-game virtual reward changes based on the frequency of the device visiting the physical location of interest.
 19. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the opt-in authorization includes an identification code associated with the device.
 20. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the device comprises a mobile or portable device.
 21. The computing device of claim 20, wherein the mobile or portable device comprises a mobile telephone.
 22. A method for participating in a virtual game, comprising: registering as a physical location of interest associated with a virtual game; providing location information corresponding to the physical location of interest; and determining a reward based on a second message received on a device, wherein the second message is transmitted in response to a first message being transmitted from the device at the physical location of interest.
 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising providing a short code to be used in the first message.
 24. The method of claim 22, further comprising providing an advertisement to a user of the virtual game. 